Ranking the FIFA World Cup national team coaches on the basis of their entire careers.
With the 2014 World Cup finals just around the corner we bring to you a definitive guide to the 32 managers placing them in order of their individual achievements both in their current national team posts as well as their previous managerial positions.
32. Hong Myung-Bo (South Korea)
Appointed: June 27, 2013
Matches in charge: 14
PPM: 1.29
Previous notable managerial achievements: Zero
Former South Korea sweeper had little or no managerial experienced before taking over as national team boss last June and eight defeats in his first 15 games in charge doesn’t bode well.
31. Niko Kovac (Croatia)
Appointed: Oct 16, 2013
Matches in charge: 3
PPM: 1.67
Previous notable managerial achievements: Zero
Decorated as a player enjoying huge success in the Bundesliga and despite a good run as Croatian Under 21 coach Niko is totally unproven in this field, has taken charge of just two competitive national team fixtures.
30. Sabri Lamouchi (Ivory Coast)
Appointed: May 28, 2012
Matches in charge: 19
PPM: 2.05
Previous notable managerial achievements: Zero
Another former player who is in his first managerial post, poor display at the 2013 African Nations Cup followed by an unspectacular World Cup qualification campaign.
29. Luis Fernando Suarez (Honduras)
Appointed: March 15, 2011
Matches in charge: 46
PPM: 1.41
Previous notable managerial achievements: Colmobian Categoría Primera A title
The 54 year old has been in charge of the Honduran national team for the last three years and has done an average job.
28. Reinaldo Rueda (Ecuador)
Appointed: Aug 10, 2010
Matches in charge: 40
PPM: 1.58
Previous notable managerial achievements: Zero
Former Honduras national team boss led Ecuador to the 2014 Finals but in a laboured fashion.
27. Miguel Herrera (Mexico)
Appointed: Oct 18, 2013
Matches in charge: 6
PPM: 2.33
Previous notable managerial achievements: Mexican Clausura title 2013
When Herrera took charge of the Mexican national team he was the fourth person in charge within the space of a month, he did however manage to guide them to a 9-3 aggregate win over New Zealand.
26. Safet Susic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Appointed: Dec 29, 2009
Matches in charge: 39
PPM: 1.64
Previous notable managerial achievements: Zero
The former PSG legend may have led Bosnia to the World Cup finals but his record of 14 defeats in 40 matches in charge is hardly spectacular.
25. Ange Postecoglou (Australia)
Appointed: Oct 28, 2013
Matches in charge: 3
Points Per Match (PPM): 1.5
Previous notable managerial achievements: two A-League titles
Australia boss has only been in charge for just over six months but did win back to back A-League titles with Brisbane Roar but is something of an unknown quantity in top tier management.
24. James Kwesi Appiah (Ghana)
Appointed: April 11, 2012
Matches in charge: 21
PPM: 2
Previous notable managerial achievements: Zero
Having learned the ropes with technical training at both Man City and Liverpool Appiah became the first black African coach to take his nation to the World Cup finals.
23. Carlos Queiroz (Iran)
Appointed: April 4, 2011
Matches in charge: 26
PPM: 2.08
Previous notable managerial achievements: Taça de Portugal, Spanish Super Cup
Perhaps best known as Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United assistant for five years, in two spells, the Portuguese boss hasn’t been all that successful when in charge. Failed at Real Madrid and didn’t achieve much in two spells in charge of the Brazilian national team. Made his name guiding Portuguese youth teams to notabale success.
22. Jorge Luis Pinto (Costa Rica)
Appointed: Sept 20, 2011
Matches in charge: 43
PPM: 1.63
Previous notable managerial achievements: Domestic titles in Peru, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Colombia
South American veteran has had plenty of success across the continent but failed to secure a World Cup berth when in charge of the Colombian national team but his Costa Rican side did comfortably qualify for the 2014 finals.
21. Jorge Sampaoli (Chile)
Appointed: Nov 22, 2011
Matches in charge: 17
PPM: 2
Previous notable managerial achievements: Torneo Apertura, Torneo Clausura, Copa Sudamericana
Argentine enjoyed great, if brief, success with Universidad de Chile which led to the call to manage the Chilean national team. His side looked accomplished during qualifying action, finishing in third spot, and for many La Roja are something of an underdog and are expected to do well.
20. Volker Finke (Cameroon)
Appointed: May 24, 2013
Matches in charge: 7
PPM: 1.71
Previous notable managerial achievements
66 year old German spent 16 years in charge of Freiburg, earning a great deal of respect in the game, before a two year spell in Japan and a brief period in charge of Koln. Took over in charge of The Indomitable Lions after they’s already qualified for the 2014 World Cup finals.
19. Vahid Halilhodzic (Algeria)
Appointed: June 22, 2011
Matches in charge: 24
PPM: 2.04
Previous notable managerial achievements: Coupe de France, African Champions League.
Experienced Bosnian guided Ivory Coast to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa off the back of a two year unbeaten run and enjoyed a successful season in charge of PSG before moving to Turkey and handed the reins in charge of Algeria after a brief spell in charge of Dinamo Zagreb.
18. Jose Pekerman (Colombia)
Appointed: Jan 6, 2012
Matches in charge: 21
PPM: 2.1
Previous notable managerial achievements: Three FIFA Under-20 World Cup triumphs
Argentine enjoyed a hugely successful spell in charge of his nation’s Under 20 side, guiding them three world cup successes, and then led the senior national team to a quarter-final finish in 2006 and has taken Colombia into the 2014 finals with aplomb.
17. Stephen Keshi (Nigeria)
Appointed: Nov 3, 2011
Matches in charge: 28
PPM: 1.86
Previous notable managerial achievements: African Nations Cup winner 2013.
The former defender has no club management experienced to speak of though Nigeria is the third nation the 52 year old has coached and has been in post for three and a half years but his side isn’t expected to make it out of the group stage at the 2014 World Cup finals.
16. Fernando Santos (Greece)
Appointed: July 1, 2010
Matches in charge: 42
PPM: 2.02
Previous notable managerial achievements: Primeira Liga title, Greek Cup win.
A somewhat mixed managerial career at club level has seen Santos do well at FC Porto and AEK Athens and not so well with Benfica and Sporting Lisbon but a solid job since taking over as Greek national team boss from over-achiever Otto Rehhagel.
15. Alberto Zaccheroni (Japan)
Appointed: Sept 10, 2010
Matches in charge: 51
PPM: 1.94
Previous notable managerial achievements: Serie A: 1998–99, AFC Asian Cup: 2011
61 year old has been in charge of Japan for almost four years and has proven a big success in the post which he moved into after a series of posts in his native Italy.
Helped AC Milan to a Serie A title but proved less successful at Lazio, Inter and Juventus.
14. Didier Deschamps (France)
Appointed: July 8, 2012
Matches in charge: 20
PPM: 1.7
Previous notable managerial achievements: Ligue 1 title, three Coupe de la Ligue, Serie B title
Former World Cup winning midfielder experienced immediate success in charge of his first club, AS Monaco, who he helped to a Ligue 1 runners-up spot followed by a Champions League runners-up finish in 2004. Deschamps then took charge of Juventus helping them to an immediate return to the top tier, winning Serie B, and losing just two of his 44 games in charge before a hugely successful stint in charge of Marseille.
His work as national team boss has been less convincing.
13. Marc Wilmots (Belgium)
Appointed: May 14, 2012
Matches in charge: 21
PPM: 1.95
Previous notable managerial achievements
A young manager with a bright future who guided Belgium to the 2014 World Cup finals without losing a match after three year spent as assistant to Dick Advocaat and later Georges Leekens.
Belgium are considered serious contenders to win the World Cup and Wilmots could well earn a top club job off the back of his nation’s showing in Brazil.
12. Paulo Bento (Portugal)
Appointed: Sept 21, 2010
Matches in charge: 40
PPM: 1.95
Previous notable managerial achievements: Two Taça de Portugal titles
Enjoyed four successful years at Sporting Lisbon before being handed the reins of the national team four years ago guiding Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and losing just seven of his 40 games in charge. At just 44 years of age Bento is a manager with a bright future.
11. Jurgen Klinsmann (USA)
Appointed: July 29, 2011
Matches in charge: 49
PPM: 1.63
Previous notable managerial achievements: CONCACAF Gold Cup 2013.
German has done a great job in charge of the United States national, guiding his side to a record breaking 12 match unbeaten run and a Gold Cup success. Took the German national team to the World Cup semi-finals in 2006 and had a moderate season in charge of Bayern Munich.
10. Cesare Prandelli (Italy)
Appointed: July 1, 2010
Matches in charge: 51
PPM: 1.71
Previous notable managerial achievements: UEFA European Football Championship Runners-Up, Confederations Cup Runners-Up
Former Juventus midfielder worked his way to Italian national team boss after a series of club roles that led to a strong five year spell in charge of Fiorentina. Helped the Azzuri to a runners-up finish at Euro 2012, losing narrowly to Spain and his side didn’t lose a single game in qualifying for the 2014 finals.
9. Alejandro Sabella (Argentina)
Appointed: July 29, 2011
Matches in charge: 31
PPM: 2.1
Previous notable managerial achievements: Copa Libertadores 2009, Argentine Primera División 2010 Apertura
The 59 year old former Sheffield United and Leeds United man came into the management game fairly late, having served in various coaching roles, but was an instant hit in charge of Estudiantes whom he helped to big successes in his two year spell in charge of the Buenos Aires side.
His Argentine side finished top of the South American qualification, losing just twice in 16 matches.
8. Roy Hodgson (England)
Appointed: May 1, 2012
Matches in charge: 25
PPM: 1.96
Previous notable managerial achievements: Seven Swedish titles, Danish titles, Europa League runners-up, UEFA Cup runners-up.
Hugely respected manager who has served his trade across Europe over the course of the past 38 years, helped England to the 2014 World Cup finals without losing a game.
7. Joachim Low (Germany)
Appointed: July 12, 2006
Matches in charge: 103
PPM: 2.21
Previous notable managerial achievements: DFB-Pokal, FIFA World Cup: 3rd place 2010, UEFA European Championship: runner-up in 2008, semi-finalist in 2012, Austrian Bundesliga title
Cultured manager who has helped Germany to a steady spell in the international game, regularly taking Die Mannschaft to the latter stages of major tournaments. Strong spell with Stuttart before good impressing at Fenerbahçe and Austria Vienna.
6. Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay)
Appointed: Feb 13, 2006
Matches in charge: 87
PPM: 1.63
Previous notable managerial achievements: Copa Libertadores: 1987, Intercontinental Cup: 1987, Primera División, Copa América 2011
Vastly experienced manager who has managed across the globe and now into his second spell in charge of the Uruguayan national team.
Took Uruguay to a Copa America title and proved a big success at Penarol and Boca Juniors.
5. Ottmar Hitzfeld (Switzerland)
Appointed: July 1, 2008
Matches in charge: 55
PPM: 1.75
Previous notable managerial achievements: Two Swiss titles, seven Bundesliga titles and a Champions League crown
Veteran German has been a huge success in the club game and has been a consistent performer in charge of the Swiss who he has led to the 2014 World Cup finals without suffering a single defeat in their qualification campaign.
4. Fabio Capello (Russia)
Appointed: July 16, 2012
Matches in charge: 17
PPM: 2.06
Previous notable managerial achievements: Five Serie A titles, two La Liga crowns and a Champions League triumph
Well known to England fan and had a solid display in charge of the Three Lions, losing just six of the 42 games in charge and has lost just two matches since taking over as Russian coach two years ago.
3. Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil)
Appointed: Nov 29, 2012
Matches in charge: 19
PPM: 2.26
Previous notable managerial achievements: Various Brazilian titles, World Cup and Confederations Cup winner with Brazil, guided Portugal to a runners-up spot at Euro 2004 and fourth place finish at the 2006 World Cup
Hugely experienced Brazilian started his managerial career way back in 1982 and has been all around the world in various positions but it’s in his roles as Brazil and Portugal national team coach that defines him. Short spell in charge of Chelsea is best forgotten.
2. Louis Van Gaal (Netherlands)
Appointed: Aug 1, 2012
Matches in charge: 20
PPM: 2
Previous notable managerial achievements: Seven domestic titles in three countries, Champions League winner
About to embark on a new managerial chapter at Man United the former Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Ajax man has been a huge success across Europe and is into his second spell as Dutch national team head coach.
1. Vicente Del Bosque (Spain)
Appointed: July 17, 2008
Matches in charge: 86
PPM: 2.56
Previous notable managerial achievements: Two La Liga titles, two Champions League titles, World Cup and European Championship
The veteran manager has ‘been there and done it’ for club and country and is deserves to top these power rankings not least as one imagines this could well be his final bow.